New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-21

must dress we'll when Mrs. Darlington took her for
drives Tom arranged to do some extra work in
the city, and was frequently detained there until
past O'Clock. On his return, If she was not
playing for charities he would find her bright
and affectionate, IL sometimes little restless in
manner. She ~--uld wait upcn him at dinner with
| ooquettisb charm new TO her. and when ne sat by
the fire afterward would cling round him, and
gaze into his commonplace countenance with a
wistfnlness IN her eyes he did not understand
| And her husband, remembering how comparative
ly cold and passi she had formerly been toward
him, decided that little harmless excitement was
evidently what she required, ard often called
down blessings on amateur theatricas in general
and the Macready Club in particular.
AT last one morning, rather more than year
after Mrs Bearings introduction TO the amateur
! stage she informed her husband that she had
been asked TO play the principal part in the per-
| Torrance at Richmond in aid of "some charity"
| What particular charity she could not say; but
| hers was an ignorance shared by most of the anna
| tours These little periodical trips into the en-
| virons Of London with party Of friends were
| however, much in vogue with the Macreadys, and
1t could at least be fairly said that there was quite
as much charity as there was art i'll their perform
anceS.
The change will do you good, daresay," Tom
said TO his wife, as she helped him on with his
grcat-cOat, and carefully avoided meeting his eye
shan't be back from the City until on Tues
day. but after dinner I'll run down TO Richmond
! and bring you home"
NO. don't do that" she said looking up
quickly, while the blood suddenly rushed TO her
| face. My part is over soon, and we begin
early, l shall be home before If. Mrs. Car
ington is going t. drive me back in her brocgham'
Marion told falsehoods very badly; but it did
not occur TO her husband to doubt her. and a
sharp pang of remorse shot through her as she saw
how easy it was TO deceive him. She stood watch
ing his somewhat stout. thicy-set figure from the
open door rs he passed down the street thinking
how kind he was, but yet how badly his clothes
fitted him compared to those of Captain Vernon.
Tuesday, fixed for the Richmond performance,
came in due course, and so excited was Marion,
presumably over her part that she lay awake cry
Ing all the night, and came TO breakfast so white
ond red-eyed that Tom would certainly have re-
marked it, but for the fact that the kidneys were
badly cooked he could think and speak Of moth
ing else.
Soon after o'clock that evening he returned
and was sitting down to his solitary dinner, when
the pOsunan brought letter directed to Tom
Dearing in q womans hand quite unfamiliar TO
him.
He opened it curiously. and had scarcely read
it through when he lcaped from his chair with a
face as pale as Maron's had been when he had
taken leave OF her that morning.
The letter signed "Adcla Vernon" and the
writer, who stated that she was Captain Vcrnon's
wife, living apart from him on account of his
misconduct, bitterly reproached Nlr bearing for
his folly in allowing his wife to be publicly
known rs Captain NernOns mistress.
Within an hour of reading il. Tom bearing was
in the train on his way to Richmond.
The first thing that met his he reach
his destination was pink playbill announcing
the amateur performance given in hall Of the
town in aid OF a local charity. lie glanced down
the cast neither his wiics nor Captain NcrnOn's
yy-nS tic List
lie gained admittancc behind the scenes by rep
resenting himself rs one OF the club; such of the
amateurs as, fussiy self-important or happily in
different and chattering loudly, collected ain
the wings" stared at him supercilOusy. Tom
bearing walked straight to Mrs. Carington, who,
in superb toilette was waiting for her cue at the
side
"Nrs. Carington,' he said in raised voice
"wierc is my wlfc?"
The lady Thus addressed flushed with astonish-
mcnt and Indignation.
Dear me, Mr.. bearing, how should know ,
Sh-. please don't make a noise, am waiting for
my cue"
SIS she here with you to-niCht?' he asked
stcrnly.
NO. Of course not; can't you sec by the pro-
grammeP You really must not talk 80 loudly at the
side. IL you want to sec the piece am sure my
brother will give you seat Please take carcl you
are trcading my train; and do be quiet every
word can be heard, and / shall miss my cue
Mrs. Darlington, II you won't tell me where my
wife is, will follow you on to the stage and ask
you there | trusted her in your care-you are
responsible for her. She told me sic was playing
here tonight, and / Will know where She is"
moment later and the amateur performance
would have been awakened from its dead level OF
practised mediocrity by dash of drama in real
earnest Mrs Darlington had swept on 10 the
stage in a storm of friendly applause, and Tom
bearing was dashing after her when his arm was
seized and he himself drawn persuasivcly on one
side by the Honorable Mrs. Mordaunt.
She woman of the world, but she had
some heart, little battered possibly, but stin
in working order
Go home; your wife won't be long" she said.
"She was going to play in the farce and came
down with us, but was taken i'll with a ner-
vOus headache she Obliged to 90 back TO town.
Ny sister was with her. and If she isn't at home
when you get there she will be either at my sisters
house or at mine. l will write down the address
for you"
As she did so Tom bearing walked away lie
had believed his wife, but he did not believe Mrs.
Mordaunt and procuring programme he held it
before her.
If my wife was going TO play in the farce
why isn't her name printed here ?" he asked in
loud harsh tones. What is Captain Vernon's
address, ?"
His voice penetrated to the audience
Cries Of "Hushi" and Turn him out" began
TO make themselves heard. The whole strength
Oh inc amateur company Vilhly endcaVored 10 !
calm 10 eject him, and shortly after 10 o'clock
Tom Bearings cab drew up before Captain YER
mons chambers in Pail Mall. .
They snug bachelors rooms hung with
racing pictures and pretty womens portraits with |
whips and foils. The remains of n dainty supper |
lay on the table, and the waiter had lust carried
in fresh supply Of champagne. In "a deep arm !
chair by the fire sat Marion Bearing, and on the
arm Of it Captain Vernon leant. as caressing her
hair with one hand, with the other he offered
her glass of wine.
take some more champagne. darling he was !
saying; 1T will cheer you up"
The words were scarcely out OF his Inns when !